Using a GIS To Assess The Distribution of Basal Stem Rot Diseases On Oil Palm Plantation With Respect To Plant Density

Abstract

Nowadays, advances in remote sensing technology and applications are widely used. With concurrent advances in global positioning systems (GPS) and the use of geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques have provided powerful analysis tools for precision agriculture.This proposal will focus on how Geographical Information System (GIS) can help to assess the distribution Basal Stem Rot Diseases (BSR) on oil palm plantation. Basal Stem Rot (BSR) is caused by Ganoderma Boinense, and it is the most serious disease for oil palm tress in Malaysia. The fungus infects oil palm trees, initially causing yield loss and finally killing the trees. Various factors were previously reported to influence incidence of BSR, such as previous crops, techniques for replanting, types of soils and the age of trees. At present, effective and sustainable management strategies to control BSR are hampered mainly by a lack of understanding of mechanisms of disease establishment, development and spread. The study aims to apply spatial analysis methods to investigate the behaviors of BSR. Data for analysis were obtained from oil palm planting density experiments at MPOB research stations at Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia.